NIGERIA-CAMBODIA: Unveiling Business Exchange Opportunities
As the saying goes ‘ Golden fish has no hidden place’ A Nigerian, DR SAMMY MUSTAPHA YAACOB is the Chief Executive Office of YMS Empire AFRO ASIA GROUPS COLLABORATION whose expertise lies on Trade, Investment, Industry and Development. He is better known as a cosmopolitan diplomat, Urbane who has spend decades touring round Malaysia, Singapore and Cambodia in Asian continent, Africa and some parts of Europe for business development.
An encountered with Dr. Sammy expressed his views on untapping resources endowed in Cambodia which is one of the Southeast countries and the only country using US Dollars for transaction in the Asian continent.
According to him YMS Empire is a collaboration of several companies in Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Dubai and Nigeria. Excerpt below;
I am taking this opportunity to explore my Nigerian and other African countries to unveil the opportunities in Cambodia country. I have spent 15 years in Asia I have never been to Cambodia therefore, my first visit to Cambodia a neighboring to Malaysia and Singapore, which is an hour flight from Malaysia and shares border with Vietnam and Thailand by road.
Cambodia is an amazing fast growing country in Southeast Asia because a lots of Industrial competition is ongoing there. We have captains of Industries from Malaysia who have their investments here. In fact, One of the biggest Casino Industry here is owned by a Malaysian. We have the Chinese Group from China, the Thailanse, Japanese, Koreans. We also have the Australians and a lots of European people who came from France. Because Cambodia was colonized by France according to what I was told. It’s the only country that spend US dollars in Asia.
My advice to Nigerians and Africans who travel for business trips is to look into Cambodia, even as a first timer I have drawn the attention of a top commissioner from Northern Nigeria, I brought them here before the Covid 19 to see one of the state Governor of Pursat Province in Cambodia which is one of the largest rice producing state. Cambodia is known as one of the best rice producing countries in the world as it export rice to Europe, Australia and even America. The country is endowed in Agriculture and I was told even Thailand, and Vietnam patronise their rice. Apart from Agriculture, lot of things can be explored in Cambodia. The Nigeria government and private sectors considering the fact that it’s focusing on Agriculture can use the opportunity to partner with Cambodia in terms of trading exchange. If Nigeria can bring most of our farmers to Cambodia for training on how their rice becomes one of the best in the world. In Cambodia most of their Agricultural activities is organic which they don’t use chemical. Most Japanese and Korean cultivate their planting activities in Cambodia such stroberry, Mango and vegetables, thereby reexporting these produces back to Japan and Korea. I have few friends engaging in this farming activities and alot of French people are here.
When it comes to tourism many Nigerians travel to Dubai for holidays and shopping most especially women who engage in jewelries, bags and fashion. Many Europeans visit Cambodia for tourism as it’s having one of the best jewelries in terms of designs, golds. Most fashion brands from America and Europe all have their factories in Cambodia, meaning all the jewelries, bags Nigerians buy from Dubai and Europe all have their factories in Cambodia. So, it’s an opportunity for Nigerian Entrepreneurs and enterprise to tap such golden opportunities in Cambodia. Cambodia is the right location to come as you can get the goods cheaper because you are dealing directly with the factory.
Focusing on investment, in the next five years Cambodia will become a business hub like Singapore. I have just been here about a year and I have discovered that their leaders are really transforming the economic status of the country. The leaders of Cambodia posses responsibility qualities to lead their people .
Despite some challenges that Cambodia went through issues about two decades ago but they leaders have tried to encourage them and they are really moving forward. I urged My Nigerian government and the private sectors to look into Cambodia as a country to explore in 2021. I know a lot of Africans don’t have knowledge about Cambodia. I know Cambodia has a lot of military personnel working in African countries under the United Nations Peace keeping missions. They are trying enough to support Africa with their military operations. They still have their military in Mali and other areas with security challenges in Africa.
I’m using this opportunity to woe Nigerians industrialists, Manufacturers and the Medium scales Enterprises (MSMEs) to invest in Cambodia as hub for mineral resources, Agriculture, tourism and technology.